uch engrossed for the outbreaks of remorseful sorrow that were so
terrible to witness, and carefully guarded him from all that could excite
them.

Mrs. Murrell brought several letters that had been addressed to him at
her house, and as Lucilla conveyed them to him, she thought their Oxford
post-marks looked suspicious, especially as he thrust them aside with the
back of his hand, returning without remark to A B and C D.

Presently a person asked to speak with Mr. Sandbrook; and supposing it
was on business connected with the funeral, Lucilla went to him, and was
surprised at recognizing the valet of one of the gentlemen who had stayed
at Castle Blanch. He was urgent to see Mr. Sandbrook himself; but she,
resolved to avert all annoyances, refused to admit him, offering to take
a message. 'Was it from his master?'

'Why, no, ma'am. In fact, I have left his lordship's service,' he said,
hesitating. 'In point of fact I am the principal. There was a little
business to be settled with the young gentleman when he came into his
fortune; and understanding that such was the case, since I heard of him
as settled in life, I have brought my account.'

'You mistake the person. My brother has come into no fortune, and has no
expectation of any.'

'Indeed, ma'am!' exclaimed the man. 'I always understood that Mr. Owen
Charteris Sandbrook was heir to a considerable property.'

'What of that?'

'Only this, ma'am,--that I hold a bond from that gentleman for the
payment of 600 pounds upon the death of Miss Honora Charlecote, of the
Holt, Hiltonbury, whose property I understood was entailed on him.' His
tone was still respectful, but his hand shook with suppressed rage, and
his eye was full of passion.

'Miss Charlecote is not dead,' steadily answered Lucilla. 'She is in
perfect health, not fifty years old, and her property is entirely at her
own disposal.'

Either the man's wrath was beyond control, or he thought it his interest
to terrify the lady, for he broke into angry complaints of being
swindled, with menaces of exposure; but Lucilla, never deficient in
courage, preserved ready thought and firm demeanour.

'You had better take care,' she said. 'My brother is under age, and not
liable. If you should recover what you have lent him, it can only be
from our sense of honesty. Leave me your address and a copy of the bond,
and I give you my word that you shall receive your due.'

The valet, grown rich in the service